Anatomical restoration dental implant system with interlockable elliptical healing cap assembly and matching abutment member

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an anatomical restoration dental implant system with an interlockable elliptical healing cap assembly and a matching abutment member. The healing cap assembly includes an integral bolt member which has a widened head segment and an elongated shaft segment. The healing cap assembly also includes a healing cap member which has a divergent body with a larger elliptical end with a long-axis and a short axis. The healing cap member also has a stepped interior bore with threaded section offset from that of the bolt member so that the healing cap member and the bolt member are interlockable. The present invention also comprises a matching abutment member for supporting a tooth analogue with an elliptical root. The abutment member has a bolt segment which is identical to the bolt member of the healing cap assembly, and a frusto-conical shaped head segment. The large end of the frusto-conical shaped head segment of the abutment member is circular shaped and has a diameter smaller than the short-axis of the elliptical shaped end of the healing cap member, such that when the abutment member is attached to the healing cap member, an elliptical shoulder is created for matching perfectly with the elliptical root of the tooth analogue.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of dental implantsand in particular to a system providing a tooth analogue and a gingivaltissue healing cap which results in a restoration having tissue-implantprofiles similar to that of a natural tooth and its surrounding gingiva.The present invention also relates to fitting a tooth with a temporarycrown and final prosthesis after the initial implant structure has beeninserted and the surrounding tissue has healed. More particularly, thepresent invention relates to the field of anatomical restoration dentalimplant systems with interlockable elliptical healing cap and abutment.

2. Description of The Prior Art

Many systems have been proposed for rigidly fixing metal or ceramicmaterials to the alveolus of a human mandible or maxilla in an effort toprovide a long term replacement for lost teeth. Early systems weresuccessful for only limited periods of time and were eventually rejectedas foreign bodies. Later systems, as described by U.S. Pat. Nos.3,589,011 to Sneer, 3,797,113 to Brainin, 3,979,828 to Taylor, 4,324,550to Reuther et al., and 4,416,679 to Mozsary et al., have proven to offerlong term success by providing rigid anchorage in the supporting bone.Intraoral restoration of such ossointegrated devices has beenaccomplished with many different systems that modified the originalattempts. Such modifications have been described in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,780,080 to Harras, 4,713,003 to Symington et al., and 4,657,510 toGittlemen. However, these restorative systems have required biologic andaesthetic compromises. The interface between an implant and itssurrounding gingival tissue is often insufficiently close to preventfood and bacteria from entering this area. Such foreign matter can causechronic infection and bone loss, resulting in eventual loss of theimplant. Implants in current use have a round root form dimensionallydifferent from that of a normal tooth root morphology. This makesaesthetic restoration difficult and impedes the development of a naturalsoft gingival tissue contour.

The inventor and applicant of the present invention has been practicinganatomical restoration dental implant surgeries for many years and isthe patentee of a series U.S. Patents related to anatomical restorationdental implant systems. U.S. Pat. No. 5,073,111 issued to Daftary onDec. 17, 1991 (hereafter "the '111 Patent") disclosed an anatomicalrestoration dental implant system. Shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the '111Patent disclosed an anatomical restoration dental implant system forimplanting a tooth analogue 102 in the alveolus of the jawbone 104. Thesystem comprises an implantable fixture 106 implanted through openedgingival tissue 108 into the alveolus of the jaw bone 104. A cover screw(not shown) is used for sealing the hollow of the implant fixture 106during the time the jaw bone 104 is growing about the implant fixture106. After osseointegration of the implant fixture 106, the gingiva 108is reopened and the cover screw is removed and replaced by a healing cap110. The healing cap 110 provides a predetermined contour to there-healing gingival tissue 108. After the re-opened gingival tissue 108has healed about the healing cap 110, the healing cap 110 is removed andreplaced with an abutment 112 having the same contour as that of thehealing cap 110. Having the same contour permits the abutment 112 totightly fit the healed opening in the gingival tissue 108 uponengagement of the abutment 112 with the implant fixture 106. Theabutment 112 is removably affixed to the implant fixture 106 by a screw114. Thereafter the tooth analogue 102 is releasibly engagable with theabutment 112 by a small holding screw 116.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,619 issued to Daftary on Jul. 30, 1991 (hereafter"the '619 Patent") disclosed an anatomical restoration dental implantsystem with improved healing cap and abutment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,372issued to Daftary et al. on Sep. 8, 1992 (hereafter "the '372 Patent")disclosed an anatomical restoration dental implant system withreinforced healing cap and abutment. The '619 Patent introduced anassembly of a two-piece healing cap and a matching abutment forimproving the healing process of the gingival tissue 108, and the '372Patent provided a reinforced assembly of the two-piece healing cap andthe matching abutment. The two-piece healing cap configurations aredesigned to prevent the unnecessary damage or delay to the healing ofthe gingival tissues.

It is always desirable to improve the anatomical restoration dentalimplant system so that it can provide a contour more nearlyapproximating that of a natural tooth and its surrounding tissue, and animplant root and gingival tissue interface that enhances the resistanceto bacterial infection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an anatomical restoration dental implant systemwith an interlockable elliptical healing cap assembly and a matchingabutment member.

It is known that one of the common features of all existing anatomicalrestoration dental implant systems, including the '111 Patent, the '619Patent and the '372 Patent, is that once the abutment 112 is in place,it provides a circular shoulder 118 around the abutment 112 for a toothanalogue 102. In practicing anatomical restoration dental implantsurgeries, the inventor of the present invention has discovered that,when the root of the tooth analogue is oval or elliptical instead ofround or circular, it will not match perfectly with the circularshoulder around the abutment. As shown in FIG. 3, when the bottom end orroot of the tooth analogue 102 is elliptical, it will not fully coverthe circular shoulder 118. In other words, the bottom end surface of thetooth analogue 102 is often not a perfect circle but an ellipse. Whilethe diameter A of the long-axis of the ellipse is matching the diameterD of the circular shoulder 118, the diameter B of the short-axis of theellipse is not. The result of this mismatching is shown in FIG. 4, whichis observed at a 90 degree angle from that of FIG. 3. As shown in FIGS.3 and 4, there will be two opposite narrow spaces 120 left between thetooth analogue 102 and the gingival tissues 108. This creates a seriousproblem because it will take a long period of time for the gingivaltissues 108 to recover and heal around the tooth analogue 102 to fillthe two narrow spaces, and meanwhile food debris and bacteria may becollected within the spaces, which in turn will impede the completehealing of the gingival tissues and increases the chance of causinginfectious diseases.

Another problem presented by the mismatch is shown in FIG. 5, which isan illustrative diagram of a patient's oral cavity. Suppose two toothanalogues 122 and 124 are going to be positioned next to each otherbetween the patient's tongue 126 and the interior surface 128 of thepatient's cheek. The profile of the bottom surface of the toothanalogues is elliptical. According to the orientation of the naturaltooth, the long-axis of the ellipse is aligned with the general radiusdirection of the patient's oval cavity. Dotted circle 132 shows theprofile of the circular shoulder around the abutment for supportingtooth analogue 122, and dotted circle 134 shows the profile of thecircular shoulder around the abutment for supporting tooth analogue 124.It can be seen that the larger profile of the circular shoulders willprevent the two tooth analogues 122 and 124 from being positioned at adesired or required close distance because the circular shoulders aroundthe abutments for supporting the two tooth analogues 122 and 124 willinterfere with each other.

It has been discovered, according to the present invention, that if anew healing cap with oral or elliptical shaped top surface is utilizedwith the abutment, then the shoulder around the abutment is ellipticalwhich will perfectly match with the oval root of the tooth analogue.Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide ahealing cap with an elliptical top surface for providing an ellipticalshoulder around the abutment, so that there can be a perfect matchbetween the elliptical root of a tooth analogue and the abutmentshoulder.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the prior art when the top of the healing cap 110is round, it does not matter how it is oriented. Thus the healing cap110 can be simply threaded to the implant fixture 106 until they arefully engaged. However, for the new healing cap with elliptical top, itmust be oriented in the way shown in FIG. 5, that is, the long-axis ofthe ellipse must be aligned with the general radius direction of thepatient's oval cavity. Consequently the new healing cap must have nothreaded relationship with the implant fixture 106. In other words, theangle of the new healing cap must be adjustable when it is attached tothe implant fixture 106.

Therefore, it is also an object of the present invention to provide aseparate bolt for securing the new elliptical healing cap to the implantfixture which allows the adjustment of the orientation of the ellipticalhealing cap. Accordingly, the present invention is an anatomicalrestoration dental implant system with an elliptical healing capassembly and matching abutment member. The present invention ellipticalhealing cap assembly includes an elliptical healing cap member and aseparate bolt member. The bolt member extends through a central bore ofthe healing cap member, and has screw threads so that it can bethreadedly engaged with the implant fixture to tightly secure theelliptical healing cap member to the implant fixture.

It has been discovered, according to the present invention, that it willbe desirable to make the healing cap and the bolt not only separable,but also interlockable. Making the two pieces of the healing capassembly interlockable can prevent mismatching the pieces of differenthealing caps, ease the effort of aligning the two pieces in a patient'soral cavity, and reduce the chance of losing the small bolt in thepatient's oral cavity.

It has also been discovered, according to the present invention, that ifinstead of having a smooth bore, the healing cap member of theelliptical healing cap assembly has a central bore with screw threads,then when the bolt member of the elliptical healing cap assembly isextended through the central bore of the healing cap member, the boltmember can be threadedly engaged with the healing cap member so thatthey are interlocked with each other.

However, it has further been discovered, according to the presentinvention, that if the bolt member is threadedly engaged with both thehealing cap member and the implant fixture, then the threadedrelationship between the healing cap member and the bolt member willprevent the adjustment of the orientation of the healing cap member whenthe bolt member is tightened to the implant fixture. This is becausethere are three interconnections or cross-engagements between the threepieces, i.e., the healing cap member, the bolt member and the implantfixture. The bolt member is threadedly engaged with both the healing capmember and the implant fixture. On the one hand, when the bolt memberhas a threaded relationship with the healing cap member, it applies notonly a translational downward force but also a rotational torque to thehealing cap member. The translational force will act to fasten thehealing cap to the implant fixture, but the rotational torque will actto rotate the healing cap about the implant fixture. Therefore, if thebolt member is simultaneously threadedly engaged with both the implantfixture and the healing cap member, then the latter engagement will actto change the orientation of the elliptical healing cap member. This isimpermissible because the orientation of the elliptical healing cap mustbe kept unchanged, so that the long-axis of the elliptical healing capmember is aligned with the general radius direction of the patient'soral cavity.

It has additionally been discovered, according to the present invention,that if the bolt member is divided into two sections including an uppersmooth section and a lower threaded section, and alternatively thecentral bore of the healing cap member is divided into two sectionsincluding an upper threaded section and a lower smooth section which areopposite to two sections of the bolt member, then when the bolt memberis initially extended into the central bore of the healing cap memberfrom the upper end of the healing cap member, the lower threaded sectionof the bolt member will threadedly engage with the upper threadedsection of the healing cap member. However, when the bolt member isfurther extended into the central bore of the healing cap member, thelower threaded section of the bolt member will disengage from the upperthreaded section of the healing cap member and align with the lowersmooth section of the healing cap member, and there will no longer be athreaded relationship between the bolt member and the healing cap memberbecause their respective threaded portions are offset from each other.Therefore, since the bolt member is threadedly engaged with the implantfixture and it is no longer threadedly engaged with the coping member,there is no action or force from the bolt member to rotate the healingcap member. Thereafter the lower threaded section of the bolt member canbe threaded into the fixture to secure the healing cap thereon.

It has also been discovered, according to the present invention, that ifthe matching abutment member has a lower bolt portion which is identicalto the bolt member of the elliptical healing cap assembly, then it canbe attached to the healing cap member by simply replacing the boltmember, and the attachment of the abutment member will not have anyeffect on the orientation of the healing cap member because when theabutment member is threadedly engaged with the implant fixture, it is nolonger threadedly engaged with the healing cap member.

It is therefore another primary object of the present invention toprovide an interlockable elliptical healing cap assembly for anatomicalrestorative dental implant systems. The interlockable feature of thepresent invention healing cap assembly will prevent the pieces ofdifferent healing caps from being mismatched, ease the difficulty ofalignment of the two pieces in a patient's oral cavity, and reduce thechance of dropping the bolt member into the patient's oral cavity.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide aninterlockable elliptical healing cap assembly for anatomical restorativedental implant systems, where the central bore of the healing cap memberhas inner screw threads engagable with the outer screw threads of thebolt member, so that the healing cap member and the bolt member can bethreadedly engaged and thereby interlocked.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide aninterlockable elliptical healing cap assembly for anatomical restorativedental implant systems, where the healing cap member is only threadedlyengaged with the bolt member when the bolt member has not yet threadedlyengaged with the implant fixture. When the bolt member is threadedlyengaged with the implant fixture, the healing cap member is no longerthreadedly engaged with the bolt member to allow the adjustment of theorientation of the healing cap member.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide aninterlockable elliptical healing cap assembly for anatomical restorativedental implant systems, where the bolt member has an upper smoothsection and a lower threaded section, and the central bore of thehealing cap member has alternatively an upper threaded section and alower smooth section. This design offsets the threaded portions of thetwo interlockable members.

When the bolt member is initially extended into the central bore of thehealing cap member from the upper end of the healing cap member, thelower threaded section of the bolt member will threadedly engage withthe upper threaded section of the healing cap member. When the boltmember is further extended into the central bore of the healing capmember, the lower threaded section of the bolt member will disengagefrom the upper threaded section of the healing cap member and align withthe lower smooth section of the healing cap member, and there will nolonger be a threaded relationship between the bolt member and thehealing cap member because their respective threaded portions are offsetfrom each other. Therefore, since the bolt member is threadedly engagedwith the implant fixture and it is no longer threadedly engaged with thehealing cap member, there is no action or force from the bolt member torotate the healing cap member. Thereafter the lower threaded section ofthe bolt member can be threaded into the fixture to secure the healingcap thereupon.

It is an another object of the present invention to provide a matchingabutment member having a lower bolt portion that is identical to thebolt member of the elliptical healing cap assembly, so that it can beattached to the healing cap member by simply replacing the bolt memberwithout altering the orientation of the healing cap member, since oncethe abutment member is threadedly engaged with the implant fixture, itis no longer threadedly engaged with the healing cap member.

The present invention comprises an interlockable elliptical healing capassembly attachable to an anatomical restoration dental implant fixturewhich is embedded into a patient's jawbone and has an exposed end havinga hollow portion with inner screw threads. The healing cap assemblyincludes an integral bolt member which has a widened head segment and anelongated shaft segment, where the shaft segment has a proximal sectionwith screw threads and a smooth distal section. The healing cap assemblyfurther includes a healing cap member which has a divergent body with asmaller proximal end, a larger distal end, and a stepped interior boreextending from the distal end to the proximal end, where the largerdistal end is elliptical shaped and has a long-axis and a short axis,and the interior bore has a smooth proximal section and a threadeddistal section. The healing cap member and the bolt member areinterlockable by threading the proximal section of the shaft segment ofthe bolt member into the distal section of the interior bore of thehealing cap member. The present invention also comprises a matchingabutment member for supporting a tooth analogue with an elliptical root.The abutment member has a proximal bolt segment which is identical tothe bolt member of the healing cap assembly, and a distal frusto-conicalshaped head segment which has a larger proximal end integrally connectedto the proximal bolt segment, and a smaller distal end with means foradapting a driving tool. The large proximal end of the abutment memberis circular shaped and has a diameter smaller than the short-axis of theelliptical shaped distal end of the healing cap member, such that whenthe abutment member is attached to the healing cap member in replacementof the bolt member for supporting the tooth analogue, an ellipticalshoulder is created for matching the elliptical root of the toothanalogue.

Further novel features and other objects of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description, discussion andthe appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustrationonly and not limitation, there is illustrated:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art anatomical restorationdental implant system as disclosed in the '111 Patent, showing a healingcap which is threaded onto the implant fixture.

FIG. 2 is also a cross-sectional view of the prior art anatomicalrestoration dental implant system as disclosed in the '111 Patent,showing an abutment which is threaded onto the implant fixture forsupporting a tooth analogue.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional view of the prior art anatomicalrestoration dental implant system, observed at a 90 degree angle fromthat of FIG. 3, showing that two opposite narrow spaces are left betweenthe tooth analogue and the gingival tissues because of the mismatchingbetween the elliptical root of the tooth analogue and the circularshoulder around the abutment.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative diagram of a patient's oral cavity, showingthe prior art anatomical restoration dental implant system with circularshoulder around the abutment, which may interfere with an adjacentanatomical restoration dental implant system and prevent two toothanalogues from being positioned closely as desired.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention interlockableelliptical healing cap assembly, including an elliptical healing capmember and a bolt member.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the elliptical healing cap member ofthe present invention interlockable elliptical healing cap assembly.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the elliptical healing cap member of the presentinvention interlockable elliptical healing cap assembly.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the elliptical healing cap member of thepresent invention interlockable elliptical healing cap assembly, showinga hexagonal recess for matching with a complementary hexagonal lip onthe implant fixture.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of an alternative embodiment of the ellipticalhealing cap member of the present invention interlockable ellipticalhealing cap assembly, showing a round recess for matching with acomplementary circular lip on the implant fixture.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the interlockable feature ofthe elliptical healing cap member and the bolt member of the presentinvention interlockable elliptical healing cap assembly.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the present inventioninterlockable elliptical healing cap assembly.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention anatomicalrestoration dental implant system, showing the elliptical healing capmember secured onto the implant fixture by the bolt member.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the present invention abutment memberwhich matches the elliptical healing cap member of the present inventioninterlockable elliptical healing cap assembly.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the abutment member attached to theelliptical healing cap member of the present invention interlockableelliptical healing cap assembly.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention anatomicalrestoration dental implant system, showing the matching abutment memberwhich is secured on the elliptical healing cap member for supporting atooth analogue.

FIG. 17 is also a cross-sectional view of the present inventionanatomical restoration dental implant system, observed at a 90 degreeangle from that of FIG. 16, showing that no space is left between thetooth analogue and the gingival tissues because of the perfect matchingbetween the elliptical root of the tooth analogue and the circularshoulder around the abutment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now bedescribed with reference to the drawings, it should be understood thatsuch embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative ofbut a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which canrepresent applications of the principles of the present invention.Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art towhich the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit,scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined inthe appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a perspective view of the presentinvention healing cap assembly 200, including a bolt member 202 and anelliptical healing cap member 204. The bolt member 202 and theelliptical healing cap member 204 are interlockable.

We refer now to FIG. 6, where in FIG. 6 there is illustrated aperspective view of the bolt member 202. The bolt member 202 has awidened head segment 210 and an elongated shaft segment 220. The widenedhead segment 212 is disc shaped with a top notch 212 to accommodate adriving tool such as a screw driver for rotating the bolt member 202.The shaft segment 220 has a proximal end 222 and a distal end 224, wherethe head segment 210 is integrally connected to the distal end 224 ofthe shaft segment 220. The shaft segment 220 further includes a proximalsection 226 and a distal section 228. The proximal section 226 has outerscrew threads 230 which are compatible with the inner screw threads ofthe hollow portion of the implant fixture, whereas the distal section228 is smooth and has no screw threads.

We refer now to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, where FIG. 6 is a perspective view ofthe elliptical healing cap member 204, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional viewof the elliptical healing cap member 204, and FIG. 8 is a top view ofthe elliptical healing cap member 204. The healing cap member 204 has adivergent body 240 which has a smaller proximal end 242 and a largerdistal end 244. The smaller proximal end 242 is circular shaped, whereasthe larger distal end 244 is elliptical shaped and has a long-axis and ashort axis. The healing cap member 204 further has a stepped interiorbore 250 extending from the distal end 244 to the proximal end 242. Theinterior bore 250 has a wider proximal section 252 and a narrower distalsection 254. The proximal section 252 is smooth, whereas the distalsection 254 has inner screw threads 256 which are compatible with theouter screw threads 230 of the proximal section 226 of the shaft segment220 of the bolt member 202. The interior bore 250 is further widened atthe larger distal end 244 of the healing cap member 204 to form acircular socket 258 for receiving the disc shaped head segment 210 ofthe bolt member 202, such that the head segment 210 of the bolt member202 is flush with the large distal end 244 when it is seated within thecircular socket 256. In addition, on the large distal end 244 of thehealing cap member 204, two small indents 260 are provided toaccommodate the small tips of a dental tool such as a forceps fororienting the healing cap member 204.

We refer now to FIGS. 9 and 10, which are bottom views of the ellipticalhealing cap 204, showing the interference feature at the small distalend 242 of the elliptical healing cap 204. At the exposed end of thedental implant fixture, there is typically a slightly raisedcircumferential lip for facilitating the coupling with other dentalcomponents such as a cover screw, an impression coping or a healing cap.The circumferential lip is often hexagonal or circular shaped. FIG. 9shows one embodiment of the present invention healing cap member 204,where a hexagonal recess 262 is provided at the small proximal end 242of the healing cap member 204 for matching a complementary hexagonal lipat the exposed end of the dental implant fixture. FIG. 10 shows analternative embodiment of the present invention healing cap member 204,where a circular recess 264 is provided at the small proximal end 242 ofthe healing cap member 204 for matching a complementary circular lip atthe exposed end of the dental implant fixture.

Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown the interlockable feature of theelliptical healing cap member 204 and the bolt member 202 of the presentinvention interlockable elliptical healing cap assembly 200. The healingcap member 204 and the bolt member 202 are interlockable by threadingthe proximal section 226 of the shaft segment 210 of the bolt member 202into the distal section 254 of the interior bore 250 of the healing capmember 204, since the outer screw threads 230 at the proximal section226 of the shaft segment 210 of the bolt member 202 are compatible withthe inner screw threads 256 at the distal section 254 of the interiorbore 250 of the healing cap member 204.

This interlockable feature is a critical advantage of the presentinvention healing cap assembly over the prior art healing capassemblies. By having the bolt member 202 and the healing cap member 204interlocked, the present invention healing cap assembly 200 can behandled together as a unit, which reduces the possibility of eitherdropping or losing the small bolt member 202 into the patient's oralcavity. It also makes the effort of aligning the bolt member 202 and thehealing cap member 204 in a patient's oral cavity easier. It furtherreduces the possibility of mismatching pairs of different configurationsor dimensions of the healing cap assemblies, because the bolt member 202and the healing cap member 204 can be interlocked and packaged,transported and stored as a single unit.

Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown a perspective view of the presentinvention interlockable elliptical healing cap assembly 200 as it isassembled in a patient's oral cavity. The disc shaped head segment 210of the bolt member 202 is seated within the circular socket 258 at thelarger distal end 244 of the healing cap member 204, so that the headsegment 210 of the bolt member 202 is flush with the large distal end244 of the healing cap member 204. The threaded proximal section 226extends out from the small proximal end 242 of the healing cap member204 for engagement with the dental implant fixture.

We refer now to FIG. 13, which is a cross-sectional view of the presentinvention anatomical restoration dental implant system showing theelliptical healing cap member 204 secured onto a dental implant fixture306 by the bolt member 202. It is noted that the shaft segment 220 ofthe bolt member 202 is longer than the interior bore 250 of the healingcap member 204, so that after the shaft segment 220 of the bolt member202 extends through the interior bore 250 of the healing cap member 204,there is still a substantial portion of the threaded proximal section228 of the shaft segment 220 of the bolt member 202, which can bethreadably engaged with the implant fixture 306 for fastening thehealing cap member 204 to the exposed end of the implant fixture 306.

It is further noted that the outer diameter of the threaded proximalsection 226 of the shaft segment 220 of the bolt member 202 is slightlysmaller than the inner diameter of the smooth proximal section 252 ofthe interior bore 250 of the healing cap member 204, and the length ofthe distal section 228 of the shaft segment 220 of the bolt member 202is longer than that of the distal section 254 of the interior bore 250of the healing cap member 204. This feature ensures that after theproximal section 228 of the shaft segment 220 of the bolt member 202 iscompletely threaded through the distal section 254 of the interior bore250 of the healing cap member 204, so that the healing cap member 204and the bolt member 202 are no longer threadably engaged.

This is another critical feature of the present invention. If the boltmember 202 is threadedly engaged with both the healing cap member 204and the implant fixture 306, then the threaded relationship between thehealing cap member 204 and the bolt member 202 will prevent theadjustment of the orientation of the healing cap member 204 when thebolt member 202 is tightened to the implant fixture 306 because of thethreaded cross-engagement. When the bolt member 202 has a threadedrelationship with the healing cap member 204 and is threadedly tightenedinto the implant fixture 306, it applies not only a translationaldownward force but also a rotational torque to the healing cap member204. The translational force will act to fasten the healing cap member204 to the implant fixture 306, but the rotational torque will act torotate the healing cap member 204 about the implant fixture 306. Thiswill destroy the desired orientation of the healing cap member 204,which is that the long-axis of the elliptical healing cap member 204 isaligned with the general radius direction of the patient's oral cavity.In the present invention, by having the bolt member 202 only threadedlyengaged with the implant fixture 306, but not threadedly engaged withthe healing cap member 204, when the healing cap assembly 200 is securedon the implant fixture 306, the desired orientation of the healing capmember can be maintained.

Referring to FIG. 14, there is shown a perspective view of a matchingabutment member 206 of the present invention. The present inventionabutment member 206 matches the elliptical healing cap member 204 of thepresent invention interlockable elliptical healing cap assembly 200. Theabutment member 206 has a proximal bolt segment 270 which is identicalto the bolt member 202 of the healing cap assembly 200. The abutmentmember 206 also has a frusto-conical shaped distal head segment 280. Thefrusto-conical shaped distal head segment 280 has a larger proximal end282 integrally connected to the proximal bolt segment 270, and a smallerdistal end 284 with a notch to accommodate a driving tool such as ascrew driver for rotating the abutment member 206. The frusto-conicalshaped distal head segment 280 also has a side screw hole 288 toaccommodate a small transverse screw for attaching a tooth analogue.

Referring to FIG. 15, there is shown a perspective view of the matchingabutment member 206 attached to the elliptical healing cap member 204 ofthe interlockable elliptical healing cap assembly 200. Since theproximal bolt segment 270 of the abutment member 206 is identical to thebolt member 202 of the healing cap assembly 200, the abutment member 206can simply replace the bolt member 202 when it is time to install atooth analogue.

It is noted that the bolt segment 270 of the bolt member 206 is longerthan the interior bore 250 of the healing cap member 204, so that afterthe bolt segment 270 of the bolt member 206 extends through the interiorbore 250 of the healing cap member 204, there is still a substantialportion of a proximal section of the bolt segment 270 of the bolt member206 which can be threadably engaged with an implant fixture forfastening the healing cap member 204 thereupon.

It is further noted that the large circular proximal end 282 of thefrusto-conical shaped distal head segment 280 of the abutment member 206has a diameter smaller than the short-axis of the elliptical shapeddistal end 244 of the healing cap member 204, so that when the abutmentmember 206 is fully secured on the healing cap member 204 in replacementof the bolt member 202 for supporting a tooth analogue, an ellipticalshoulder 300 is created for matching the elliptical root of the toothanalogue.

This elliptical shoulder 300 is also an critical feature of the presentinvention. This solves the problem of mismatching between the root ofthe tooth analogue, which is often oval or elliptical, and the round orcircular abutment shoulder provided by prior art dental implant systems.The smaller profile of the present invention elliptical shoulder 300also allows two tooth analogues to be positioned at a desired orrequired close distance.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, there are shown that the matching abutmentmember 206 is secured on the elliptical healing cap member 204 forsupporting a tooth analogue 302. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view ofthe present invention anatomical restoration dental implant system,whereas FIG. 17 is another cross-sectional view of the present inventionanatomical restoration dental implant system, observed at a 90 degreeangle from that of FIG. 16.

It can be seen than the oval shaped root of the tooth analogue 302 nowmatches perfectly with the elliptical shoulder 300 around the abutmentmember 206. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the oval root of the toothanalogue 302 fully covers the elliptical shoulder 300. There are no moretwo opposite narrow spaces left between the tooth analogue 302 and thegingival tissues 308. This solves the problem presented by prior artimplant systems with circular abutment shoulders, shortens the period oftime required for the gingival tissues 308 to recover and heal aroundthe tooth analogue 302, and eliminates any possibility of having fooddebris and bacteria collected between the root of the tooth analogue 302and the gingival tissues 308, which in turn expedites the completehealing of the gingival tissues 308 and reduces the chance of causingany infectious diseases.

Another problem solved by the present invention is the precise spacingbetween adjacent tooth analogues. In prior art dental implant systemsthe larger profile of the circular shaped shoulder often prevents twoadjacent tooth analogues from being positioned at a desired closedistance. This problem is solved by the present invention because thesmaller profile of the elliptical shoulder 300 at the conjunction of thehealing cap member 204 and the abutment member 206 at the directionperpendicular to the general radius direction of a patient's oral cavityallows two tooth analogues to be positioned at a closer distance.

It is also noted that the since the proximal bolt segment 270 of theabutment member 206 is exactly the same as the bolt member 202, the sameinterlockable and engagement relationship exists between the abutmentmember 206 and the healing cap 204. For example, when the abutmentmember 206 is threadedly engaged with the implant fixture 306, thehealing cap member 204 and the abutment member 206 are no longerthreadably engaged.

Defined in detail, the present invention is an anatomical restorationdental implant system implantable in the gingival tissue and thealveolus of the jaw bone, comprising:

(a) a dental implant fixture having proximal and distal end portions,the proximal end portion having means for being embedded in openedgingival tissue and the alveolus of the jaw bone, the distal end portionhaving an exposed end being accessible from the outer surface of the jawbone, the fixture being made of a substance permitting healing of theopened gingival tissue and growth of the jaw bone about the fixture, thefixture further including a hollow extending from an opening in thedistal end portion towards the proximal end portion, the hollow havingthreads along at least a portion of its length;

(b) means for sealing the hollow of the implant fixture during a periodafter implantation in which the jaw bone is growing about the proximalportion of the implant fixture;

(c) healing cap means for providing a predetermined oval contour to thegingival tissue adjacent the distal end of the implant fixture, suchthat the gingival tissue re-heals in an oval contour reverse to that ofthe contour of the healing cap means;

(d) a tooth analogue having an elliptical root;

(e) abutment means for supporting the tooth analogue;

(f) means for securing said tooth analogue to said abutment means;

(g) said healing cap means being an interlockable elliptical healing capassembly, including:

(i) a bolt member having a widened head segment and an elongated shaftsegment, the shaft segment having a proximal end and a distal end, andthe head segment integrally connected to the distal end of the shaftsegment, the shaft segment further having a proximal section and adistal section, the proximal section having outer screw threadscompatible with said inner screw threads of said hollow portion of saidimplant fixture, and the distal section being smooth;

(ii) a healing cap member having a divergent body with a smallerproximal end, a larger distal end, and a stepped interior bore extendingfrom the distal end to the proximal end, the smaller proximal end beingcircular shaped, the larger distal end being elliptical shaped andhaving a long-axis and a short axis, and the interior bore having a wideproximal section, and a narrow distal section, the proximal sectionbeing smooth, and the distal section having inner screw threadscompatible with said outer screw threads of said proximal section ofsaid shaft segment of said bolt member;

(iii) said healing cap member and said bolt member being interlockableby threading said proximal section of said shaft segment of said boltmember into said distal section of said interior bore of said healingcap member;

(iv) said distal section of said shaft segment of said bolt member beinglonger than said distal section of said interior bore of said healingcap member, such that after said proximal section of said shaft segmentof said bolt member is completely threaded through said distal sectionof said interior bore of said healing cap member from said distal end ofsaid healing cap member, said healing cap member and said bolt memberare no longer threadably engaged;

(v) said shaft segment of said bolt member being longer than saidinterior bore of said healing cap member, such that after said shaftsegment of said bolt member extends through said interior bore of saidhealing cap member from said distal end of said healing cap member,there is still a substantial portion of said proximal section of saidshaft segment of said bolt member which can be threadably engaged withsaid implant fixture for fastening said healing cap member to saidexposed end of said implant fixture;

(h) said abutment means being a matching abutment member furthercomprising:

(i) a proximal bolt segment being identical to said bolt member of saidhealing cap assembly;

(ii) a distal frusto-conical shaped head segment having a largerproximal end integrally connected to said proximal bolt segment, and asmaller distal end with means for adapting a driving tool; and

(iii) said large proximal end of said distal frusto-conical shaped headsegment of said abutment member being circular shaped and having adiameter smaller than said short-axis of said elliptical shaped distalend of said healing cap member, such that when said abutment member isattached to said healing cap member in replacement of said bolt memberfor supporting said tooth analogue, an elliptical shoulder is createdfor matching said elliptical root of said tooth analogue.

Defined broadly, the present invention is an interlockable ellipticalhealing cap assembly attachable to an anatomical restoration dentalimplant fixture which is embedded into a patient's jawbone and has anexposed end having a hollow portion with inner screw threads, thehealing cap assembly comprising: (a) an integral bolt member having awidened head segment and an elongated shaft segment, the shaft segmenthaving a proximal section with screw threads and a smooth distalsection; (b) a healing cap member having a divergent body with a smallerproximal end, a larger distal end, and a stepped interior bore extendingfrom the distal end to the proximal end, the larger distal end beingelliptical shaped and having a long-axis and a short axis, and theinterior bore having a smooth proximal section and a threaded distalsection; (c) said healing cap member and said bolt member beinginterlockable by threading said proximal section of said shaft segmentof said bolt member into said distal section of said interior bore ofsaid healing cap member; (d) said distal section of said shaft segmentof said bolt member being longer than said distal section of saidinterior bore of said healing cap member, such that after said proximalsection of said shaft segment of said bolt member is completely threadedthrough said distal section of said interior bore of said healing capmember from said distal end of said healing cap member, said healing capmember and said bolt member are no longer threadably engaged; and (e)said shaft segment of said bolt member being longer than said interiorbore of said healing cap member, such that after said shaft segment ofsaid bolt member extends through said interior bore of said healing capmember from said distal end of said healing cap member, there is still asubstantial portion of said proximal section of said shaft segment ofsaid bolt member which can be threadably engaged with said implantfixture for fastening said healing cap member to said exposed end ofsaid implant fixture.

Defined more broadly, the present invention is an interlockable healingcap assembly attachable to an exposed end of a dental implant fixturewhich has a hollow with inner screw threads, the healing cap assemblycomprising: (a) an integral bolt member having a widened head segmentand an elongated shaft segment, the shaft segment having a proximalsection with screw threads and a smooth distal section; (b) a healingcap member having a divergent body with a smaller proximal end, a largerdistal end, and a stepped interior bore extending from the distal end tothe proximal end and having a smooth proximal section and a threadeddistal section; (c) said healing cap member and said bolt member beinginterlockable by threading said proximal section of said shaft segmentof said bolt member into said distal section of said interior bore ofsaid healing cap member; (d) said distal section of said shaft segmentof said bolt member being longer than said distal section of saidinterior bore of said healing cap member, such that after said proximalsection of said shaft segment of said bolt member is completely threadedthrough said distal section of said interior bore of said healing capmember from said distal end of said healing cap member, said healing capmember and said bolt member are no longer threadably engaged; and (e)said shaft segment of said bolt member being longer than said interiorbore of said healing cap member, such that after said shaft segment ofsaid bolt member extends through said interior bore of said healing capmember from said distal end of said healing cap member, there is still asubstantial portion of said proximal section of said shaft segment ofsaid bolt member which can be threadably engaged with said implantfixture for fastening said healing cap member to said exposed end ofsaid implant fixture.

Defined even more broadly, the present invention is an ellipticalhealing cap assembly attachable to an exposed end of a dental implantfixture which has a hollow with inner screw threads, the healing capassembly comprising: (a) an integral bolt member having a widened headsegment and an elongated shaft segment, the shaft segment having aproximal section with screw threads and a smooth distal section; (b) ahealing cap member having a divergent body with a smaller proximal end,a larger distal end, and an interior bore extending from the distal endto the proximal end, the larger distal end being elliptical shaped andhaving a long-axis and a short axis; and (c) said shaft segment of saidbolt member being longer than said interior bore of said healing capmember, such that after said shaft segment of said bolt member extendsthrough said interior bore of said healing cap member from said distalend of said healing cap member, there is still a substantial portion ofsaid proximal section of said shaft segment of said bolt member whichcan be threadably engaged with said implant fixture for fastening saidhealing cap member to said exposed end of said implant fixture.

Alternatively defined, the present invention is a method for implantinga tooth analogue with elliptical root in the gingival tissue and thealveolus of the jawbone in a patient's oral cavity, the methodcomprising the steps of: (a) implanting a fixture having proximal anddistal end portions, the proximal end portion having means for beingembedded in opened gingival tissue and the alveolus of the jaw bone, thedistal end portion being accessible from the outer surface of the jawbone, the fixture being made of a substance permitting healing of theopened gingival tissue and growth of the jaw bone about the fixture, thefixture further including a hollow extending from the distal end portiontoward the proximal end portion, the hollow being threaded along atleast a portion of its length; (b) sealing the hollow of the fixturewith a cover means during a period after implantation in which the jawbone is growing about the proximal portion of the fixture and the openedgingival tissue is healing, thereby preventing the jaw bone fromentering the fixture; (c) reopening the gingival tissue and replacingsaid cover means with a healing cap assembly which includes a boltmember and an elliptical healing cap member having a divergent body witha smaller proximal end, a larger distal end, and an interior boreextending from the distal end to the proximal end, where the largerdistal end is elliptical shaped and has a long-axis and a short axis;(d) removing said bolt member and replacing it with a matching abutmentmember which has a proximal bolt segment identical to said bolt memberand a distal frusto-conical shaped head segment having a smaller distalend and a larger proximal end integrally connected to the proximal boltsegment, where the larger proximal end is circular shaped and has adiameter smaller than said short-axis of said elliptical shaped distalend of said healing cap member, such that when the matching abutmentmember is attached to said healing cap member in replacement of saidbolt member for supporting said tooth analogue, an elliptical shoulderis created for matching said elliptical root of said tooth analogue; and(e) releasibly attaching a tooth analogue to said matching abutmentmember such that said elliptical root of said tooth analogue matchessaid elliptical shoulder created at the conjunction of said healing capmember and said matching abutment member.

Alternatively defined broadly, the present invention is a method ofattaching an interlockable healing cap assembly to a component of ananatomical restoration dental implant system, where the dental componenthas a threaded hollow, the method comprising the steps of: (a) utilizinga bolt member which has a smooth distal section and a threaded proximalsection engagable with said threaded hollow of said dental component;(b) utilizing a healing cap member which has a divergent body with asmaller proximal end, a larger distal end, and an interior bore having athreaded distal section offset from said threaded proximal section ofsaid bolt member, and a smooth proximal section offset from said smoothdistal section of said bolt member; (c) interlocking said healing capmember and said bolt member by threading said threaded proximal sectionof said bolt member into said threaded distal section of said interiorbore of said coping member; (d) attaching said healing cap member withsaid interlocked bolt member onto said dental component; and (e)fastening said healing cap member to said dental component by threadingsaid bolt member until its threaded proximal section is completelydisengaged with said threaded distal section of said healing cap member,and instead engaged with said threaded hollow of said dental component.

Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to anyparticular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment disclosedherein, or any specific use, since the same may be modified in variousparticulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope ofthe claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which theapparatus shown is intended only for illustration and for disclosure ofan operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms ormodification in which the present invention might be embodied oroperated.

The present invention has been described in considerable detail in orderto comply with the patent laws by providing full public disclosure of atleast one of its forms. However, such detailed description is notintended in any way to limit the broad features or principles of thepresent invention, or the scope of patent monopoly to be granted.

What is claimed is:
 1. An interlockable healing cap assembly attachableto an exposed end of a dental implant fixture which has a hollow withinner screw threads, the healing cap assembly comprising:a. an integralbolt member having a widened head segment and an elongated shaftsegment, the shaft segment having a proximal section with screw threadsand a smooth distal section; b. a healing cap member having a divergentbody with a smaller proximal end, a larger distal end, and a steppedinterior bore extending from the distal end to the proximal end andhaving a smooth proximal section and a threaded distal section; c. saidhealing cap member and said bolt member being interlockable by threadingsaid proximal section of said shaft segment of said bolt member intosaid distal section of said interior bore of said healing cap member; d.said distal section of said shaft segment of said bolt member beinglonger than said distal section of said interior bore of said healingcap member, such that after said proximal section of said shaft segmentof said bolt member is completely threaded through said distal sectionof said interior bore of said healing cap member from said distal end ofsaid healing cap member, said healing cap member and said bolt memberare no longer threadably engaged; and e. said shaft segment of said boltmember being longer than said interior bore of said healing cap member,such that after said shaft segment of said bolt member extends throughsaid interior bore of said healing cap member from said distal end ofsaid healing cap member, there is still a substantial portion of saidproximal section of said shaft segment of said bolt member which can bethreadably engaged with said implant fixture for fastening said healingcap member to said exposed end of said implant fixture.
 2. The inventionas defined in claim 1 wherein said larger distal end of said healing capmember further comprises means for adapting said widened head segment ofsaid bolt member such that when said healing cap assembly is attached tosaid implant fixture, the top of the head of the bolt lies flush withthe top surface of the healing cap.
 3. The invention as defined in claim1 wherein said larger distal end of said healing cap member furthercomprises means adaptable with a dental tool for orienting said healingcap member.
 4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said headsegment of said bolt member has means cooperable with a driving tool. 5.The invention as defined in claim 1 further comprising a matinginterface at said exposed end of said implant fixture and acomplementary mating interface at said proximal end of said healing capmember for orienting and aligning said healing cap assembly.
 6. Aninterlockable elliptical healing cap assembly attachable to ananatomical restoration dental implant fixture which is embedded into apatient's jawbone and has an exposed end having a hollow portion withinner screw threads, the healing cap assembly comprising:a. an integralbolt member having a widened head segment and an elongated shaftsegment, the shaft segment having a proximal section with screw threadsand a smooth distal section; b. a healing cap member having a divergentbody with a smaller proximal end, a larger distal end, and a steppedinterior bore extending from the distal end to the proximal end, thelarger distal end being elliptical shaped and having a long-axis and ashort axis, and the interior bore having a smooth proximal section and athreaded distal section; c. said healing cap member and said bolt memberbeing interlockable by threading said proximal section of said shaftsegment of said bolt member into said distal section of said interiorbore of said healing cap member; d. said distal section of said shaftsegment of said bolt member being longer than said distal section ofsaid interior bore of said healing cap member, such that after saidproximal section of said shaft segment of said bolt member is completelythreaded through said distal section of said interior bore of saidhealing cap member from said distal end of said healing cap member, saidhealing cap member and said bolt member are no longer threadablyengaged; and e. said shaft segment of said bolt member being longer thansaid interior bore of said healing cap member, such that after saidshaft segment of said bolt member extends through said interior bore ofsaid healing cap member from said distal end of said healing cap member,there is still a substantial portion of said proximal section of saidshaft segment of said bolt member which can be threadably engaged withsaid implant fixture for fastening said healing cap member to saidexposed end of said implant fixture.
 7. The invention as defined inclaim 6 wherein said larger distal end of said healing cap memberfurther comprises a widened socket for adapting said widened headsegment of said bolt member such that when said healing cap assembly isattached to said implant fixture, the tip of the head of the bolt liesflush with the top surface of the healing cap, and the top surfacefurther comprises two opposite indents adaptable with a dental forcepsfor orienting said healing cap member.
 8. The invention as defined inclaim 6 wherein said head segment of said bolt member has meanscooperable with a driving tool.
 9. The invention as defined in claim 6further comprising mating means for aligning said healing cap memberwith said implant fixture.
 10. The invention as defined in claim 6further comprising a matching abutment member for supporting a toothanalogue with an elliptical root, the abutment member having:a. aproximal bolt segment being identical to said bolt member of saidhealing cap assembly; b. a distal frusto-conical shaped head segmenthaving a larger proximal end integrally connected to said proximal boltsegment, and a smaller distal end with means for adapting a drivingtool; and c. said large proximal end of said distal frusto-conicalshaped head segment of said abutment member being circular shaped andhaving a diameter smaller than said short-axis of said elliptical shapeddistal end of said healing cap member, such that when said abutmentmember is attached to said healing cap member in replacement of saidbolt member for supporting said tooth analogue, an elliptical shoulderis created for matching said elliptical root of said tooth analogue. 11.An anatomical restoration dental implant system implantable in thegingival tissue and the alveolus of the jaw bone, comprising:a. a dentalimplant fixture having proximal and distal end portions, the proximalend portion having means for being embedded in opened gingival tissueand the alveolus of the jaw bone, the distal end portion having anexposed end being accessible from the outer surface of the jaw bone, thefixture being made of a substance permitting healing of the openedgingival tissue and growth of the jaw bone about the fixture, thefixture further including a hollow extending from an opening in thedistal end portion towards the proximal end portion, the hollow havingthreads along at least a portion of its length; b. means for sealing thehollow of the implant fixture during a period after implantation inwhich the jaw bone is growing about the proximal portion of the implantfixture; c. healing cap means for providing a predetermined oval contourto the gingival tissue adjacent the distal end of the implant fixture,such that the gingival tissue re-heals in an oval contour reverse tothat of the contour of the healing cap means; d. a tooth analogue havingan elliptical root; e. abutment means for supporting the tooth analogue;f. means for securing said tooth analogue to said abutment means; g.said healing cap means being an interlockable elliptical healing capassembly, including:(i) a bolt member having a widened head segment andan elongated shaft segment, the shaft segment having a proximal end anda distal end, and the head segment integrally connected to the distalend of the shaft segment, the shaft segment further having a proximalsection and a distal section, the proximal section having outer screwthreads compatible with said inner screw threads of said hollow portionof said implant fixture, and the distal section being smooth; (ii) ahealing cap member having a divergent body with a smaller proximal end,a larger distal end, and a stepped interior bore extending from thedistal end to the proximal end of the cap member, the smaller proximalend being circular shaped, the larger distal end being elliptical shapedand having a long-axis and a short axis, and the interior bore having awide proximal section, and a narrow distal section, the proximal sectionof the cap member being smooth, and the distal section of the cap memberhaving inner screw threads compatible with said outer screw threads ofsaid proximal section of said shaft segment of said bolt member; (iii)said healing cap member and said bolt member being interlockable bythreading said proximal section of said shaft segment of said boltmember into said distal section of said interior bore of said healingcap member; (iv) said distal section of said shaft segment of said boltmember being longer than said distal section of said interior bore ofsaid healing cap member, such that after said proximal section of saidshaft segment of said bolt member is completely threaded through saiddistal section of said interior bore of said healing cap member fromsaid distal end of said healing cap member, said healing cap member andsaid bolt member are no longer threadably engaged; (v) said shaftsegment of said bolt member being longer than said interior bore of saidhealing cap member, such that after said shaft segment of said boltmember extends through said interior bore of said healing cap memberfrom said distal end of said healing cap member, there is still asubstantial portion of said proximal section of said shaft segment ofsaid bolt member which can be threadably engaged with said implantfixture for fastening said healing cap member to said exposed end ofsaid implant fixture; h. said abutment means being a matching abutmentmember further comprising:(i) a proximal bolt segment being identical tosaid bolt member of said healing cap assembly; (ii) a distalfrusto-conical shaped head segment having a larger proximal endintegrally connected to said proximal bolt segment, and a smaller distalend with means for adapting a driving tool; and (iii) said largeproximal end of said distal frusto-conical shaped head segment of saidabutment member being circular shaped and having a diameter smaller thansaid short-axis of said elliptical shaped distal end of said healing capmember, such that when said abutment member is attached to said healingcap member in replacement of said bolt member for supporting said toothanalogue, an elliptical shoulder is created for matching said ellipticalroot of said tooth analogue.
 12. The invention as defined in claim 11wherein said larger distal end of said healing cap member furthercomprises a widened socket for adapting said widened head segment ofsaid bolt member such that when said healing cap assembly is attached tosaid implant fixture, the tip of the head of the bolt lies flush withthe top surface of the healing cap member.
 13. The invention as definedin claim 11 wherein said larger distal end of said healing cap memberfurther comprises means adaptable with a dental tool for orienting saidhealing cap member.
 14. The invention as defined in claim 11 whereinsaid head segment of said bolt member has means cooperable with adriving tool.
 15. The invention as defined in claim 11 furthercomprising a mating interface at said exposed end of said implantfixture and a complementary mating interface at said proximal end ofsaid healing cap member for orienting and aligning said healing capassembly.
 16. A method of attaching an interlockable healing capassembly to a component of an anatomical restoration dental implantsystem, where the dental component has a threaded hollow, the methodcomprising the steps of:a. utilizing a bolt member which has a smoothdistal section and a threaded proximal section engagable with saidthreaded hollow of said dental component; b. utilizing a healing capmember which has a divergent body with a smaller proximal end, a largerdistal end, and an interior bore having a threaded distal section offsetfrom said threaded proximal section of said bolt member, and a smoothproximal section offset from said smooth distal section of said boltmember; c. interlocking said healing cap member and said bolt member bythreading said threaded proximal section of said bolt member into saidthreaded distal section of said interior bore of said coping member; d.attaching said healing cap member with said interlocked bolt member ontosaid dental component; and e. fastening said healing cap member to saiddental component by threading said bolt member until its threadedproximal section is completely disengaged with said threaded distalsection of said healing cap member, and instead engaged with saidthreaded hollow of said dental component.
 17. The invention as definedin claim 16 further comprising the step of packaging, transporting andstoring said healing cap member and said bolt member as they areinterlocked.
 18. The invention as defined in claim 16 further comprisingthe step of utilizing a matching abutment member which has a boltsegment identical to said bolt member and a frusto-conical head segmentfor supporting a tooth analogue.
 19. The invention as defined in claim16 further comprising the step of coupling said healing cap member withsaid implant fixture by providing a polygonal interface at said exposedend of said implant fixture and a complementary polygonal interface atsaid proximal end of said healing cap member.
 20. The invention asdefined in claim 16 further comprising the step of coupling said healingcap member with said implant fixture by providing a circular interfaceat said exposed end of said implant fixture and a complementary circularinterface at said proximal end of said healing cap member.
 21. Theinvention as defined in claim 26 further comprising a matching abutmentmember for supporting a tooth analogue with an elliptical root, theabutment member having:a. a proximal bolt segment being identical tosaid bolt member of said healing cap assembly; b. a distalfrusto-conical shaped head segment having a larger proximal endintegrally connected to said proximal bolt segment, and a smaller distalend; and c. said large proximal end of said distal frusto-conical shapedhead segment of said abutment member being circular shaped and having adiameter smaller than said short-axis of said elliptical shaped distalend of said healing cap member, such that when said abutment member isattached to said healing cap member in replacement of said bolt memberfor supporting said tooth analogue, an elliptical shoulder is createdfor matching said elliptical root of said tooth analogue.
 22. A methodfor implanting a tooth analogue with elliptical root in the gingivaltissue and the alveolus of the jawbone in a patient's oral cavity, themethod comprising the steps of:a. implanting a fixture having proximaland distal end portions, the proximal end portion having means for beingembedded in opened gingival tissue and the alveolus of the jaw bone, thedistal end portion being accessible from the outer surface of the jawbone, the fixture being made of a substance permitting healing of theopened gingival tissue and growth of the jaw bone about the fixture, thefixture further including a hollow extending from the distal end portiontoward the proximal end portion, the hollow being threaded along atleast a portion of its length; b. sealing the hollow of the fixture witha cover means during a period after implantation in which the jaw boneis growing about the proximal portion of the fixture and the openedgingival tissue is healing, thereby preventing the jaw bone fromentering the fixture; c. reopening the gingival tissue and replacingsaid cover means with a healing cap assembly which includes a boltmember and an elliptical healing cap member having a divergent body witha smaller proximal end, a larger distal end, and an interior boreextending from the distal end to the proximal end, where the largerdistal end is elliptical shaped and has a long-axis and a short axis; d.removing said bolt member and replacing it with a matching abutmentmember which has a proximal bolt segment identical to said bolt memberand a distal frusto-conical shaped head segment having a smaller distalend and a larger proximal end integrally connected to the proximal boltsegment, where the larger proximal end is circular shaped and has adiameter smaller than said short-axis of said elliptical shaped distalend of said healing cap member, such that when the matching abutmentmember is attached to said healing cap member in replacement of saidbolt member for supporting said tooth analogue, an elliptical shoulderis created for matching said elliptical root of said tooth analogue; ande. releasibly attaching a tooth analogue to said matching abutmentmember such that said elliptical root of said tooth analogue matchessaid elliptical shoulder created at the conjunction of said healing capmember and said matching abutment member.
 23. The invention as definedin claim 22 further comprising the steps of orienting said healing capmember such that said long-axis of said elliptical shaped large end ofsaid healing cap member is generally aligned with a general radiusdirection of said patient's oral cavity, and securing said healing capwith said bolt member for providing a predetermined contour to thehealing gingival tissue adjacent the implant fixture.
 24. The inventionas defined in claim 22 further comprising the step of interlocking saidhealing cap member with said bolt member before said healing cap memberis secured on said implant fixture by providing screw threads at anarrow distal portion of said interior bore of said healing cap memberwhile keeping a proximal portion of said interior bore smooth.
 25. Theinvention as defined in claim 22 further comprising the step of couplingsaid healing cap member with said implant fixture by providing a matinginterface at said exposed end of said implant fixture and acomplementary mating interface at said proximal end of said healing capmember.
 26. An elliptical healing cap assembly attachable to an exposedend of a dental implant fixture which has a hollow with inner screwthreads, the healing cap assembly comprising:a. an integral bolt memberhaving a widened head segment and an elongated shaft segment, the shaftsegment having a proximal section with screw threads and a smooth distalsection; b. a healing cap member having a divergent body with a smallerproximal end, a larger distal end, and an interior bore extending fromthe distal end to the proximal end, the larger distal end beingelliptical shaped and having a long-axis and a short axis; and c. saidshaft segment of said bolt member being longer than said interior boreof said healing cap member, such that after said shaft segment of saidbolt member extends through said interior bore of said healing capmember from said distal end of said healing cap member, there is still asubstantial portion of said proximal section of said shaft segment ofsaid bolt member which can be threadably engaged with said implantfixture for fastening said healing cap member to said exposed end ofsaid implant fixture.
 27. The invention as defined in claim 26 whereinsaid larger distal end of said healing cap member further comprisesmeans for adapting said widened head segment of said bolt member suchthat when said healing cap assembly is attached to said implant fixture,the top of the head of the bolt lies flush with the top surface of thehealing cap.
 28. The invention as defined in claim 26 wherein saidlarger distal end of said healing cap member further comprises meansadaptable with a dental tool for orienting said healing cap member. 29.The invention as defined in claim 26 wherein said head segment of saidbolt member has means cooperable with a driving tool.
 30. The inventionas defined in claim 26 further comprising mating means for aligning saidhealing cap member with said implant fixture.